Council approves formation of Housing Stability Task Force, narrows membership and sets 30-day convening target

Council members approved moving forward with a Housing Stability Task Force to study local housing trends, eviction filings, rent burdens and vacancy rates and to report back with recommendations. The task force will have nine volunteer members and one council member as chair; members debated whether developers should hold seats and whether nonprofit representatives must live in the city.

Mr. Mancini presented a draft application and proposed membership categories (tenants, landlords, developers, housing advocates, nonprofit representatives and legal professionals). Several council members pushed for residency of task-force members, greater tenant representation and limits on developers irect decision-making seats; others said developers and outside experts should provide input without voting seats. The council agreed to give priority to city residents in applications, aim to convene the first meeting within 30 days and have the task force deliver a report within 120 days of its first meeting.

Council members stressed the task force should aim for actionable strategies to reduce evictions and improve housing stability whether or not the final recommendation endorses "good-cause" eviction. Staff will circulate a revised application reflecting the residency priority and membership adjustments and will return the item to the council if additional language changes are required.